Refrigerating apparatus



July 21, 1935 M. J. GouLoozE REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed. March 19, 1954 illlllfllUvllwMmIlUlvl lllll un INVENTOR. #7419774' I Gaz/002 ATTORNEY.

Patented July 21, 1936 UNITED 's'rivrlisl PATENT OFFICE Martin J. Gouloole, Grand Rapids, Mich., a8-

signor. to Kelvinator ,Corporatiom Detroit, Mich., a corporation of `Michigan Application Much 19, 1934, semi No. '116.304

- 1:4 claims. (c1. al1-15s) This invention relatesto refrigerators and more particularly to shelves therefor.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator with a shelf of new and 15- construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described' with reference to the accompanying drawing and then claimed.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates suitable embodiments of the present invention: 20 Figure l is a perspective view of a refrigerator, showing a shelf of the present invention disposed therein; f

2 is an enlarged fragmentary front view of the refrigerator illustrated in Figure 1, more clearly showing the shelf and the mounting therefor;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section taken approximately on the line 3 3 of Figure 2, showing the shelf supporting means in side elevation, and.l

also showing the shelfin dotted outline in another of its adjusted potions;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one corner of the shelf, showing the molmting means therefor; and Y Figure 5 is a section taken similar to Figure 3 of a shelf having a modified mounting means.

Referring more specifically to Figs. 1-4 of the accompanying drawing in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, 40 the vertical side walls I0 of the food compartment of the refrigerator II are provided with opposed pairs of suitable shelf plugs I2 which support the shelves I3. If desired one or more of the shelves I3 may be provided with the supporting brackets 45' to be hereinafter described. n

Referring to the construction shown in Figures 2-3and-4, the shelf I3, which may be of any suitable construction or design, comprises an article supporting portion which is provided at each side 50 witha pair of depending brackets A which coopcrate with the shelf plugs II in shelf supporting relation.

Each supporting bracket A is preferably in the form of a single piece ,of strap or bar stock which ilshapedbybendingthesamebackuponiiself to provide spaced end portions I I which are securely welded or otherwise secured to the adjacent side piece of the shelf I3, a depending portion I5 doubled upon itself at spaced intervals to form a' plurality of plug receiving recesses or notches I6, 5

. and a reversely bent portion I1 abutting the portion I5 to add rigidity to the bracket.

Each of the notches I6 is inclined from its forward open side upwardly toward the shelf side rod, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, so that when the l0 shelf plugs I2 are received in any particular pair of notches I6, the forward end'portions of the upper adjacent projections Ilia will extend slightly below) the plane of the upper surfaces of the plugs I2 to prevent inadvertent sliding of l5 the shelf I2 on the plugs I2 such as might occur when articles are placed on the shelf were it not for theinclination of the notches. The inclined projections Ita of 'the depending portions I5 of the brackets A, which provide the notches IS, thus serve as stops or abutments whichresist the tendency of the shelf I3 to slide on the plugs I2 while articles are being placed on the shelf.l

The shelf I3 may be easily and quickly changed from one level to another by simultaneously lifting and moving the same toward the back wall of the refrigerator until the desired level is reached, and then disposing the same by a. forward movement so -that the notches I6 for that level will receive the shelf plugs I2. 30

In Figure 3, the shelf I3 is shown in its uppermost position in solid outline, andin its lowermost position in' dotted outline.

, Although in the construction shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the brackets A are shown to be of one 35 piece construction and embodying notches for Vonly three shelf positions it is ,to be understood that, the same may be of any other suitable construction and provided with any desired number of notches IB. I 40 In the modified construction shown in Figure 5. the forward supporting bracket B is formed from a. single piece of bar stock which is bent back and. forth upon itself to provide the plug receiving notches Il, the uppermost notch being formed partially by the adjacent shelf side rod. In this case, however, the notches Il are horizontally disposed instead of at an angle as in the construction previously described. f

'I'he rearmost bracket C in this case, however, 50 comprises a depending element I9 welded or otherwise secured to the shelf side rod, and a number of spaced short projecting portions 20 arranged at an angle and suitably secured thereto to provide plug receiving notches 2 I. The inclined 55 projecting portions 20 as in the construction shown in Figure 5, serve to prevent inadvertent sliding movement of the shelf I3 when the shelf plug I2 is received in any of the three lowermost notches 2I. movement when the Ashelf plugs I2 are received in the uppermost notches I8 and 2| of the brackets B and C respectively, the side rods of the shelf I3 are offset at their forward ends as indi-l cated at 22 in Figure 5. Theseportlons 22 are offset a suilicient extent to prevent inadvertent sliding of the shelf, but not to such an extent as to interfere with the changing of the shelf from one level to another, the operation of which is the same as in the construction shown' in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

Either bracket B or C of Figure 5 may be substituted for one of the brackets A of Figure 3, or if desired the bracket A may be substituted for either the bracket B or the bracket C, or both brackets may be of the type exemplified by the bracket C.

In each of the embodiments of my invention described I have provided a shelf construction having an improved multi-position supporting ymeans for providing an eillcient and easy adjust- `ment thereof from one level to another, which is simple in construction and which can be economii cally manufactured.

Aside from the specic embodiments olf the invention herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a refrigerator having a plurality of shelf plugs at each side of the food compartment thereof, a shelf, and a plurality of depending brackets carried by said shelf for engaging said tions, the projections of at least one of said brackets being inclined relative to said shelf,

' whereby said shelf may be disposed at different levels.

3. The combination in a refrigerator of a plurality of shelf plugs mounted at each side of the food compartment thereof, a shelf, and plurality of depending brackets carried by said shelf for engagement with said plugs in shelf supporting relation, each of said brackets having a plurality of spaced, plug engaging projections providing plug receiving notches, the plug engaging projections of at least one of said brackets being inclined to prevent sliding movement of said shelf relative to said plugs.

4'. 'I'he combination in a refrigerator of a plurality of shelf plugs mounted at each side of the food compartment thereof, a multi-position shelf, comprising a plurality of shelf supporting and adjusting brackets carried by said shelf for engagement with said plugs in shelf supporting relation, each of said brackets comprising a depending pcrtion rigidly secured to said shelf and a plurality of spaced plug engaging portions ex- In order to prevent such slidingl tending therefrom whereby said shelf may be disposed at different levels.

5. The combination in a refrigerator of a plurality of shelf plugs mounted at each side of the food compartment thereof, a shelf, and a 5 plurality of shelf supporting and adjusting brackets for engagement with said plugs in shelf supporting relation, each of said brackets comprising a depending portion rigidly secured to said shelf and a plurality of spaced plug engaging 1o portions extending therefrom, the plug engaging portions of at least one of said brackets being inclined with respect to its said depending pora tion.

6. 'Ihe combination in a refrigerator of 'a l5 plurality of shelf plugs mounted at each side of the food compartment thereof, a, shelf, and a plurality of shelf supporting and adjusting brackets for engagement with said plugs in shelf supporting relation, each of said brackets compris- 20 ing a depending portion rigidly secured to said shelf and doubled upon itself at spaced intervals to provide spaced, plug engaging projections.

'7. The combination in a refrigerator of a plurality of shelf plugs mounted at each side of 25 the food compartment thereof, a shelf, and a plurality of shelf supporting and adjusting brackets for engagement with said plugs in shelf supporting relation, each of said brackets comprising a single piece depending portion rigidly secured 30 to said shelf and doubled upon itself at spaced intervals to provide spaced, plug engaging projection, each of said projections being inclined downwardly and away from said shelf.

8. The combination in a refrigerator of a plurality of shelf plugs mounted at each side of the food compartment thereof, a shelf, and a plurality of shelf supporting and adjusting brackets for engagement with said plugs in shelf supporting relation, each of said brackets comprising a 40 single piece depending portion rigidly secured to said shelf and doubled upon itself at an angle to said shelf at spaced intervals to provide spaced,

` inclined plug engaging projections, said depending portion also having an integral portion doubled back thereon and rigidly secured to said shelf.

9. In a refrigerator the combination of a plurality of shelf plugs mounted in the vertical side walls of the food storage compartment. a multiposition shelf therein comprising an article supporting portion, four brackets carried by said article supporting portion, each of said brackets having a plurality of plug receiving notches whereby the shelf may be supported at diil'erent levels, the notches of one pair of brackets being substantially horizontal, and the notches of the other pair of brackets being inclined relative to said article supporting portion to prevent inadvertent sliding movement of said shelf relative t0 said plugs. n

10. In a multi-position shelf adapted to be `supported in various positions between vertical walls bearing shelf plugs. the combination of an article supporting portion, a plurality of depending brackets carried by said article supporting portion, each of said brackets having a plurality of plug receiving notches whereby the shelf mayV be supported at different levels, and the notches of at least one of said brackets being inclined relative to said article supporting portion to preported in various positions between vertical walls bearing shelf plugs the combination of an article supporting portion. four brackets carried by said article supporting portion. each of said brackets having a plurality of plug receiving notches whereby the shelf may be supported at different levels, the notches of the pairs of brackets being respectively horizontal and inclined.

12. In combination. a compartment provided with a plurality oi pins at the same elevation, a shelf adapted to be supported in a level condition by said pins, brackets amxed to said shelf and provided with a plurality of hook portions at different elevations, said hook portions being selectively cooperable with said pins for supporting said shelf at dierent elevations.

i3. In combination. a compartment provided with a plurality of horizontally extending pins at the same elevation. a shell adapted to be supported in a level condition by said pins and having at least one edge spaced from the adjacent wall oi said compartment. brackets aillxed to said shelf and provided with a plurality of hooked portions at different elevations. said hooked portions being selectively cooperable with said pins for supporting said shelf at different elevations. said hooked portions being disengageable from said pins by lateral shifting of said shelf in one direction whereby said shelf may be changed from one elevation to another without tipping the same.

MARTIN J. GOULOOZE. 

